Short Answer Questions

1. How does Martha know that everything is OK again between her parents?

2. When did Olive first come to Martha's school?

3. Martha tells Godbee that she plans to write a book about _____________________.

4. What street was Martha riding on when she was hit on her bicycle?

5. Goodbee tells Martha that she had once written a short story about a girl who moved far from the ocean and took ____________________ with her.

Short Essay Questions

1. What must Olive's mother know about her daughter regarding any friendship with Martha?

2. What is the traditional game played during visits to Godbee's house and why is the first game night of this visit not very successful?

3. What does Martha reveal to Godbee about her family and why does she regret saying it?

4. What does Martha recall about Olive's death?

5. Who is the woman who shows up at Martha Boyle's front door at the beginning of the story and what does the woman give to Martha?

6. Name all the Manning brothers and identify the project Jimmy is working on.

7. How did Godbee get that nickname?

8. How does Martha begin her story about Olive?

9. What wish is stated in Olive's journal regarding having Martha as a friend?

10. Who is Vince?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Godbee's greatest gift to her grandchildren? Why is Godbee especially close to Martha? How will Martha manage after the inevitable event of Godbee's death? Has Godbee tried to prepare her? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Lucy. What is her role in the story? What was the author trying to accomplish by developing Lucy's character in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. What does the author mean by calling it simply OLIVE'S OCEAN. What is he trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.